Waveney: High hopes tourism and energy sectors will boost economy

Tourism and the energy sector will play a pivotal role in boosting Waveney’s economic fortunes next year.

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Although concerns continue to mount over the sluggish economic climate, it is hoped the centenary celebrations of composer Benjamin Britten will help ensnare new visitors to Lowestoft and Southwold – and add another dimension to the district’s tourism offering.

Meanwhile, the emergence of two heavyweight energy projects at the tail end of this year have fuelled fresh hopes that businesses in Waveney can benefit from more supply chain work in nuclear and renewable energy.

An announcement in mid-December revealed that the East Anglia ONE windfarm project could bring a £500m boost to the local economy.

Operators Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables will begin sourcing the supply chain in the new year as they gear up to start constructing 325 offshore wind turbines in the North Sea by 2018, if granted planning approval.

Elsewhere in Suffolk, businesses have also been urged to sign up to a supply chain of work for the construction of the new Sizewell C power station after EDF revealed proposed plans for the new site in November.

It is hoped businesses in Waveney and across Norfolk and Suffolk can mirror enterprises in Somerset which have already seized £25m in trade from the soon-to-be-built Hinkley Point nuclear power station.

Waveney MP Peter Aldous said that businesses in the district will need to seize the energy-sector opportunities in the new year to help the district prosper.

He said: “I think the energy sector does provide a significant opportunity for Waveney because of our location and because we have a good skills base and the supply chain built up over many years.

“We are in the right place to take advantage of these opportunities, but nothing in life falls on your lap. We need to make sure we get the policies right in the Energy Bill and we need to get the planning right for offshore and onshore wind.”

He added: “We are trying to add value and assemble the manufac-turers. We need to make sure local people are the ones doing these jobs.”

The bright economic forecast comes after the Waveney Tourism Forum reported a good year for businesses in the district despite a deluge of wet weather over the summer.

But the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee proved a damp squib when it came to boosting the area’s economy, according to one tourism chief.

Bernard Reader, chairman of Waveney Tourism Forum, said: “Despite difficult times and bad weather the tourism industry in Waveney has continued to prosper.

“Fortunately here on the coast we had better weather during the summer holidays than most of England which helped to bring people to Waveney.

“The Olympics and jubilee had no real impact on the industry however they did create a really good atmosphere which visitors were able to enjoy.

“While the economic climate is a concern, the Waveney Tourism Forum will continue to work in partnership with Waveney District Council to attract new visitors to the area and develop our tourism economy.

“The 2013 marketing campaign will be launched in January and will include a destination guide and improved website. 2013 is also a celebration of 100 years since the birth of Benjamin Britten and brings an opportunity to attract new visitors – which is all very encouraging.”

Dramatic increases in the average age of people in Suffolk have been highlighted in a report which reveals that in some areas nearly one in 10 are expected to be aged 85 or over in the next two decades.